A Coalition of Democratic Officials is pushing for a Rule Change that would Lock in the Presidential Nominating Process Reforms the Party Adopted in 2018 to Extend them through the 2024 Election Cycle.
If they succeed, the Democrats’ Effort would ensure that, among other things, the Elected Officials and Party Insiders known as Superdelegates would remain Bound by the Preference of their State’s Primary Voters or Caucus-Goers until the Second Ballot at the Party’s National Convention.
The Resolution to Extend those Reforms, which the Democratic National Convention’s Rules Committee is set to consider Thursday, would also Require the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee to Formally Review the Effectiveness of the 2018 Reforms. The Resolution’s Co-Sponsors hope that such a Review Process clears the way for Permanent Adoption of those Reforms.
Larry Cohen, a Rules Committee member and Former Union Leader who Supported the Presidential Runs of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), formally introduced the Resolution Monday, July 27th. “My hope is that virtually everybody on the committee will vote for the resolution because this is really about continuing to build faith with Democratic voters, particularly younger voters,” Cohen said.
Cohen argued that Passage of the Rule Change would be a Promising Start to Former Vice President Joe Biden’s Tenure as the Democratic Party’s Standard-Bearer. “This sets an important tone for Vice President Biden in this election and for his presidency ― that democratizing the rules inside and outside the party in order to achieve change in this country is part of his agenda,” Cohen said.
The Resolution also has the Support of at least Four State Party Chairs from a Range of Political and Ideological Backgrounds: Minnesota’s Ken Martin, Chair of the Association of State Democratic Committees, the Umbrella Group for State Parties; Nebraska’s Jane Kleeb; South Carolina’s Trav Robertson; and Washington State’s Tina Podlodowski.
If a Majority of the 180 Members of the Rules Committee Approves the Resolution, it goes to a Vote among the Broader Pool of 3,979 Convention Delegates. If a Minority of 25% or More of the Committee’s Members Approves the Resolution, it also Proceeds to a Vote on the Convention Floor, though presumably with a far Lower Chance of Ratification.
Jeff Weaver, a Rules Committee Member and Top Sanders Adviser who has Represented the Senator in talks with the Biden Campaign, said that Discussions between the Two Campaigns on the Question of Locking in the 2018 Reforms, in Particular, have been “constructive.” “I anticipate that there will be a positive resolution,” he said.
In Recognition of the Support Sanders enjoys within the Party, Biden Agreed in late April to Strike a Deal with Sanders enabling him to Maintain Representation Proportional to his Performance among Convention Delegates and on the Convention’s Standing Committees. Ordinarily, Losing Presidential Candidates Forfeit about 1/3rd of their Convention Delegates to the Winning Candidate.
Below is the Complete Text of the Resolution:
WHEREAS, following the 2016 election, the Democratic National Committee (“DNC”), under the leadership of Chair Tom Perez, took substantial steps to ensure a more accessible, transparent, and inclusive 2020 Democratic presidential nominating process;
WHEREAS, these reforms, which encouraged many states to move from caucuses to more inclusive primaries, led to an unprecedented level of voter participation in presidential primary contests across the country, allowing more Democratic voters to make their voices heard and increasing voter confidence in our nominating system;
WHEREAS, these reforms helped inspire the largest and most diverse field in our Party’s history to seek the Democratic Party’s nomination for President;
WHEREAS, the Rules and Bylaws Committee of the DNC (“RBC”) was instrumental in adopting and implementing the reforms that made the 2020 presidential nominating process the most dynamic and successful in our Party’s history;
WHEREAS, the Democratic Party needs to continue to build off the successes of the 2020 primary reforms in creating the rules of the 2024 primary process and Democratic National Convention;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the RBC must protect and continue the work started in 2017 to make improvements to the 2024 nominating process and Democratic National Convention and build on the successes achieved this cycle. With the purpose and the goals of continuing to further accessibility, transparency, and inclusion in our Party, the RBC shall conduct a comprehensive and structured review of the presidential nominating reforms adopted by the DNC for the 2020 primaries to evaluate where even further reforms are needed, while maintaining the advances that have been made. This review should include considerations of the successes of each of the reforms adopted in 2018 in achieving the DNC’s goals, empowering rank and file Democrats, and strengthening and unifying the Democratic Party in the lead up to the general election. In conducting this review, the RBC should take steps to ensure public and stakeholder engagement in the process, including at least one public hearing and an opportunity to submit comments. This review and accounting should be completed by March 31, 2021.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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